Vincent wins third straight title

MADISON  Nothing could keep Milwaukee Vincent High School from winning a third straight WIAA Division 1 girls state basketball championship.

Not even going almost the last 10 minutes without a field goal.

Junior guard Chelan Landry scored 17 points to give the Vikings a 48-47 victory over Milwaukee King in Saturday’s title game at the Alliant Energy Center.

Senior forward Ashley Birts made a lay-up with 1:42 left in the third quarter as Vincent took a 33-30 lead. The Vikings then went the last 9:42 without a field goal, but Landry and junior center Nicole Griffin combined to make 15 free throws for Vincent in the fourth quarter.

Landry was 13-for-14 from the foul line, while Griffin scored 11 points and had eight rebounds to lead Vincent, which finished 25-1.

King junior Rachel Story made one free throw with three seconds left, but missed the second foul shot that would have tied it and possibly forced an overtime.

Senior Sarina Simmons, a Marquette recruit, had game highs with 18 points and 13 rebounds for the Generals (22-4).

Vincent and King combined for 60 turnovers in a hard-fought game that featured aggressive physical play that never allowed either team to settle into an offensive rhythm.

King coach Craig Machut said the style of play was exactly what he expected as both teams fought down to the wire.

The Generals and Vikings split two games during the regular season, with King winning the most recent meeting, 67-53, while Vincent won an earlier matchup, 66-62

Vincent coach Marquis Hines said he was thrilled to win the title against a conference opponent.

“That’s the main thing—we represented the Milwaukee Public Schools, and it was history in the making. That’s what I love about it,” Hines said. “To see our girls come together and finally, for the first time, come together and play in the state championship was exciting.”